
By TOM CHIAHEMEN –
The World Health Organization (WHO), has expressed regrets over the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.
In a statement issued in Geneva on Tuesday, the WHO recalled the crucial role it had been playing in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.
It noted that the United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHO’s work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board.
“For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO,” the statement said.
The world health body also noted that with the participation of the United States and other Member States, it has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues.,” it added.
“We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe,” it said.
The comment came in response to the announcement by the White House on Monday that President Donald Trump was pulling the U.S out of the world health body.
The announcement was in apparent fulfilment of Donald Trump’s campaign promise to opt out of certain global institutions, including the WHO which he tongue-lashed for the way and manner it handled the COVID-19 pandemic.